When thinking of these facts, I also think of my favorite
subject—paint—and when colors that are available came to be here like the
natural colors derived from plants or geography. As an artist, one experiences
nature through the layered colors of mineral deposits riddling rock fronts. One
looks at the egression of hues that sparkle from a polished stone that was in a
running river bed or the sea. Last, one would look at the distressed and
weathered siding of a rustic log cabin or farmhouse; these hues look chalky or
earthen. The materials become organic, and have a raw finish naturally matte in
appearance. Through time and stress, these elements work hand-in-hand to
develop a softened splendor of beauty. This beauty can influence one in
comfort, restfulness, and tranquility.
As a designer, one will take these elements and do as an artist
does creating a palette from natural layers of colors inspired by the recent
appreciation of nature. This craft shows a down-to-earth aesthetic. This is not
a new thought; historical colors were created throughout history to
emulate traditional colors. This scholarly study of hues began with the
development of colors from the period the colonists came to America.
Designers will pick a company that reflects his or her concept
in historical colors. This process is through resources and study of historical
architecture. A favorite supplier is Benjamin Moore Paints and the reasoning is that this company specializes
in chronological colors. This review will offer colors that reflect the era of
multiple styles in American history using colors from today’s suppliers.
The Colonial and Federal
Style
This was called The Colonial and Federal Styles (1640-1825) when a new nation was created from scarce and limited funds. The pigments came from natural
resources like the land, plants, and fibers. These pigments created a dark and
rich hue of affluence in a growing nation. Homes were painted in a solid tone, including the trim and
doors, but the interiors were
colorful and contrasting. The Federal
Period was a post revolutionary war time when colors became lighter and
more delicate with detail. These colors were accented on the trim by using
off-white or natural opaque’s like ivory or bone white,
and doors painted in dark tones like black
or shaded greens to create a darker tone creating paler aesthetics in design.
Using Benjamin Moore
Paints here is a list of colors that reflect the era’s color palette.
The Colonial The Federal
Mysterious AF-565 Crumb
Cake CSP-1010
Tumeric AF-350 Monroe
Bisque HC-26
Tea Room AF-270 Hepplewhite
Ivory HC-36
Jungle Canopy CSP-900 Van
Deusen Blue HC-156
Dinner Party AF-300 Hawthorne
Yellow HC-4
Thicket AF-405 Marlboro
Blue HC-153
Blue Suede Shoes 798 Hathaway
Peach HC-53
Coriander Seed AF-110 Mayflower
Red HC-49
Rustique AF-275
Rainforest Foliage 2040-10
The Early Victorian
Period
The Victorian Period (1830-1900) was split into two periods.
These are the early and late Victorian eras. Broken down, the periods start
with an Early Victorian style that includes Greek revival, Gothic Revival, and
Italian Styles. This was an influence from the long reign of Queen Victoria,
and there were multiple varieties of architectural themes. As time progressed
many styles comingled and created a transitional blend of styles. These were
broken down by periods, but the styles blend to create each styles trades mark.
The Greek revival (1830-1850) Many architectures were placed close to the street with pediments, or themed columns (Doric,
Corinthian, or Ionic). Many of the styles were large in keystone and design and
took on the look of ancient temples. This color style included tones that look
like sand or stones, marbles, and light alabasters.
The Gothic Revival (1840-1860) inspired romance and picturesque
settings with drama and excitement. This style involved structural
embellishments like steep gables, archways, and ornamental trim pieces. The
colors for this heavier style were earthy deep tones. The house body and trim
were painted in the same family with
times when the trim may have been darker in tone.
The Italianate Revival (1840-1880) these stately residences were
elegant and restrained from heavy tones, but rather by natural warm tones that
highlighted the details of the architecture. Doors and trim were left natural
and unfinished with color.
Here are the tones that make up the early Victorian Period.
Greek Gothic
Suntan Yellow 2155-50 Old
Salem Gray HC-94
Golden Tan 2152-40 Lewiville
Green 494
Cotton Tail 2156 Saddle
Brown 2164-10
Mellowed Ivory 2149-50
Roasted Sesame Seed 2160-40
Camouflage 2143-40
Italianate
Audubon Russet HC-51
Nickel 2119-50
White Wisp 2137-70
Wickham Gray HC-171
The Late Victorian Era
The Late Victorian Era (1855-1900) was inspired by French architecture grouped with ornate designs, slate
shingles mansard roofs, and delicately crested ironwork. This era was inspired by two periods. The Second Empire (1855-1885) and the Queen Anne
period
(1875-1900) homes were embellished early in this period with
warm colors, light accents, and stone-like influences. Later, in the Second
Empire richer tones deep in colorful shades and bejeweled darker hues created a
geode of sparkle and depth.
During the Queen Anne period, styles were accented in irregular
compositions and were represented by patterned combinations
of textures, materials, colors, and gradations of décor. The diverse range of
colors were displayed by contrast ornamentation
from the body of the home to the clapboards on the different stories are
separate hues. The doors and window matting was accented to accentuate another
tone of contrast.
The following colors were chosen to compare period colors
with available tones in today’s paint choices.
The Second Empire
Meditation AF-395 Weathered
Oak 1050
Olivetone 252 Oystershell
864
Gondola Ride 602 Forest
Hill Green 443
Vanilla Cookie 372 Land
of Liberty 440
Blue Ridge Mountain 1043 Pineapple
Smoothy 142
The Queen Anne
Dakota Shadow 448 Ipanema
AF-245
Sweet Basil 455 Colorado
Clay AC-15
Warmed Cognac AF-235 Savannah
Clay 047
Glacial Till AF-390 Cascabel
Chile CSP-445
Wenge AF-180 Dark
Burgandy 2075-10
The Colonial Revival and
the Bungalow Style
Americans began to look toward the past and found a traditional
direction in architecture. The Colonial Revival and
the Bungalow Style (1890-1930) was an interpretation of historical architecture
from the Colonial era.
The Colonial Revival (1890-1920) was highlighted with ornate doorways, railings, and dark hues for shutters and
doors. The exteriors were light in color with soft to off-white trim. The
window trims were drawn from the 18Th century, and the interior woodwork was
painted and accented with popular wallpapers as an aesthetic
combination.
The Bungalows (1910-1930) were small homes with signature
porches and dormers. This distinguished look was generally accented by natural tones of rough shale and river or fieldstones, roofed
with shingles, and finished in stucco for the exterior of the body.
The historic accents and trim colors
were dark toned to accentuate the softer
body tones of the home with a traditional super white to use in various
historical home designs. These historical shades add a prominent finishing
touch providing enhanced distinction to the main style of the homes conveying
depth in each era while preserving esteem to historical detail.
The Following colors display the appropriate colors from
Benjamin Moore Paints for the Colonial Revival and Bungalow styles. Included
with this review is the historical accent and trim colors.
The Colonial Revival
Good Morning Sunshine 326 Lemon
Ice OC-114
Vale Mist 1494 Dolphin
Af-715
Spring Thaw 1508 Sunburst
2023-40
Franklin Lakes 1643
West Coast 1671
The Bungalow Collection
Cattail CSP-295 Silver
Streak 2119-40
Secret Path CSP-800 Smoke
Gray 2120-40
In the Garden CSP-805
Porcini CSP-195
Taupe Fedora CSP-280
Historical Trim and
Accent collection
New London Burgundy HC-61 Frostine
AF-5
Bewitched CSP-450 Caliente
AF-290
Bittersweet Chocolate 2114-10 Universal
Black 2118-10
Salamander 2050-10 Paris
Rain 1501
These popular shades can distinguish a variety of historical
homes, as the colors will enhance the primary color providing a contrasting
style. The highlights will express a deep opulence that accentuates the
architecture of the home. This richness in color channels the eras while
preserving a reverence to details that display significance. The value of a
historical home begins with the appearance of the home. The authenticity of the
colors can show pride in expressing true characteristics of a period.
The ownership of a historical home whether by era or known
history, evokes style and pride as the homeowner
acknowledges the importance to details and worth. With this in mind, the colors
chosen to represent these historical colors were derived from architectural documents that revealed formulas,
chronological material specifications, and paintings depicting the period.
